Baldwin Boys' High School (or BBHS) often informally referred to simply as Baldwins, is an private English boys' independent boarding school founded in 1880, is an all boys residential (there are more day scholars than boarders) school in Bangalore, India. It is one of the oldest schools in Bangalore, India.
The school's motto is "Reverentia Jehovae est Caput Sapientiae" - "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10).
The school has heritage buildings such as Oldham Building and Lincoln Hall.
Video Baldwin Boys' High School
History
The school prepares pupils for the ICSE and Cambridge Local Examinations. It is located in the posh locality of Richmond Town, in Bangalore city.
Among the prominent personalities in the school's history are Bishop and Mrs. Williams F. Oldham, Rev. John Edward Robinson, Rev. Ira A. Richards, Rev. T. R. Toussaint, Rev. J. B Buthrick, Mr. C. N. Weston and Mr. Pfeiffer.
Bishop and Mrs. William F. Oldham, a surveyor, started a school in their home at 4, Alexandra Street. The aim was to provide schooling for English speaking Methodist children. When the Oldhams left India for Theological studies in the USA, the school was transferred to the vestry of the Richmond Town Methodist Church and placed under the Pastor, Rev. John Edward Robinson, elected Missionary Bishop in 1904.
The Principal, Rev. Marion B. Kirk from East Ohio Conference served in all capacities at the school as house-holder, administrator, teacher, gamester and musician. After six months, Rev. Kirk was transferred to Kolar's Orphanage and Mission.
Maps Baldwin Boys' High School
Layout
The school had several heritage buildings on its huge campus many of which have made way for modern concrete structures with improved facilities. There are three main academic buildings: one for the primary school, one for the high school section, and one under construction for the 11th and 12th grade ISC (Indian School Certificate) classrooms, besides basketball, roller-skating, bowling and badminton courts, and a cafeteria. The Pfeiffer Memorial Playground is used for football, hockey and cricket tournaments. The Weston Swimming Pool is attached to it. It also has the 350-seater Lincoln Hall as the school auditorium.
Academics
The board which governs ISC (Indian School Certificate) and ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) is CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination) which has its Head Office in New Delhi.
The school, administered along the lines of Junior, Middle and Senior School, works through three school terms, each ending with examinations. Students of Class X appear for the ICSE by the beginning of March.
Subjects taught in Baldwins at the ICSE level include English, an Indian and foreign language, History, Civics, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and a choice between Commercial Applications, Computer Applications and Physical Education. All students learn English. A choice between Science and Environmental Science is offered.
School life
In the 1920s all boarders attended morning and evening prayers daily, and Sunday Divine Service, morning and evening, as well as Sunday School; also a Young people's meeting was held once during the week.
The school sought to foster the physical development of boys. To this end gymnastics, cricket, football, hockey and tennis were supported. Later boxing was added. A Sports Day was held annually to encourage athletics. A Unit of the Auxiliary Force, India, was maintained, in which the older boys enrolled. A Troop of Boy Scouts also existed, also a Cub Pack for the younger boys.
The studies from the 1920s were languages like Latin, Urdu, English and French by special arrangement. Subjects like Mathematics, Sciences Arts Drawing - Freehand, Model and Memory. The progress of pupils was tested by weekly and quarterly examinations. A report showing the results of these examinations together with a statement as to the conduct, applications, and progress of the pupils was forwarded to the parents or guardians at the end of every month and quarter.
The school had a House system and separate parts of the domitories were for each House.
The present
The school provides hostel facilities for a limited number of students. The junior and the senior dorm are housed in different buildings. With the increasing number of international students and students from the northeast of the country, the facilities have been upgraded.
The school is also famous for its long running rivalry with close competitors, Bishop Cotton Boys' School and St. Joseph Boys' High School, both in terms of amenities and education quality.
Clubs and co-curricular activities
- Scouts
- National Cadet Corps
- Model United Nations Club
- Elocutions
- Debate club
- Choir
- Brass Band
- Rock Band
- Scripture Union
Houses
The school follows a house system, a system commonly used in public schools. The seven houses are named after previous principals or people who have played a part in the formation of the school. Each house is represented by a color which matches the first letter of the house.
- Richard - red
- Oldham - orange
- Buttrick - blue
- Toussaint - turquoise
- Pfeiffer - purple
- Weston - white
- Andersen - auburn
Oldham was the founder of the school and Richard the third principal. Mr. Weston, the principal during the inter-war years was instrumental in pulling the school out of financial straits and saving it from dissolution. His memory was preserved in Weston House and in Weston Day, an annual sports holiday devoted to competitions in swimming and athletic pursuits. Pfeiffer House was named after an American contributor who helped turn around the schools fortune during Mr. Weston's tenure.
Sports
The school was one of the first to provide swimming facilities in Bangalore in 1900. There is an annual Intra school Swimming Competition on Weston Day.
The Pfeiffer Memorial Playground is used for football, hockey and cricket tournaments. The Weston Swimming Pool is attached to it.
An inter-school football tournament for schools of old Bangalore. The trophy awarded at the end of the tournament is called The Baldwin Shield.
Hockey is a stronghold of the school. The junior team has won the Annual Hockey Tournament conducted by St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Bangalore several times.
Cultural activities
Odyssey, an inter school literary and cultural fest started in the 1990s, provides the students opportunities to exhibit their talents and spirit of competition. Due to protests by parents this event had to meet an end leaving the students of the city disappointed. Though held again in 2005 it failed to reignite the enthusiasm of the 1990s.
Alumni Association
The Old Baldwin Association(OBA) (www.baldwin-alumni.org) organizes alumni events. There is a program where older members can volunteer mentor younger members. The OBA celebrates Andersen Day to foster camaraderie amongst all its students. The president of the OBA is Mr.Shakeel Abdul Rehman.
Early educators at Baldwins'
- M.B.Kirk 1880
- Rev. I. A. Richards 1881 - 1885
- Rev. B. T. Eddy 1885 - 1886
- Rev. W. Bowser 1886
- Rev. Homer Stuntz 1887 - 1888
- Rev. W. L. King 1888 - 1889
- Rev. W. H. Hollister 1890 - 1891
- Rev. T. R. Toussaint 1892 - 1898
- Rev. C. W. Ross DeSouza 1899 - 1902
- Rev. P. V. Roberts 1902 - 1910
- Rev. J. B. Buttrick (Principal) 1910 - 1913
- Rev. A. B. Coates (Headmaster)
- Rev. A. B. Coates (Principal) 1914
- Rev. J. W. Simmons 1914 - 1917
- Rev. E. J. Guest 1917 - 1920
- Rev. H. F. Hilmer (Principal) 1920
- Rev. E. A. Seamands (Headmaster)
- Rev. A. E. Cook 1921
- Rev. Z. A. Olson 1922 - 1927 (April)
- Mr. C. N. Weston 1927 - 1932
- Mr. R. A. B. Andersen 1932 (Acting)
- Mr. C. N. Weston 1933 - 1936
- Mr. R. A. B. Andersen 1936 (Acting)
- Mr. C. N. Weston 1937 - 1941
- Mr. R. A. B. Andersen 1942 - 1945
- Mr. C. N. Weston Associate 1946 - 1947
- Mr. R. A. B. Andersen Principals
- (Mr. C. N. Weston was in the Army from 1942-1945).
- Mr S D Samuel- Principal
- Mr J S Williams- Principal
- Mr Dinakar Wilson- Principal 2005-2017
- Mr Augustine Charles- Principal 2017
Notable alumni
- Sandeep Chowta - President, Columbia Records.
- Dr. Kazi Uzair, ex-President of Dow Medical College
- Henry Rebello - represented India in the 1948 Olympic Games
- Rahman - South Indian film star
- A.P. Ramaswamy - represented India in the Asian Games, 100m relay.
- Robin Paul - represented India in the Asian Games, 100m, 200m.
- J. Gowri Shankar - represented Indian School Boys Cricket Team
- Kashi Vishwanath - represented the State in 100m relay.
- B.V. Murlidhar - represented India in the Under-13 Football.
- Abid Majid - represented India in Chess.
- Mahesh Dattani - playwright, dramatist.
- Swami Sukhabodhananda, nicknamed "the Corporate Guru"
- Mohammed Aiman Ahmed - National Champion, represented India and won the Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Taekwondo Championship,2011
- Prasad Bidapa- Fashion Stylist
See also
- Baldwin Girls High School.
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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